System and method for activating serial number of a point storage card

ABSTRACT

A system and a method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards are provided. First, a user connects a computer device to the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card, and inputs a member account and member password for authentication purposes. Once the member account and member password are verified to be valid, a point storage card selection interface is generated for the user to select at least one kind of the point storage cards therefrom. When a payment process for the selected point storage card is completed, the payment information is transmitted to a corresponding supplier system to request activation of the serial number of the point storage card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and a method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards, and, more particularly, to a system and a method that provides cross-platform serial number activation services through a single interface.

2. Description of Related Art

Online games are rapidly increasing in popularity along with developments in multimedia. Generally, game players are required to purchase and activate point storage cards so as to continue their ‘lives’ in the online games they are playing, such point storage cards usually being sold through distributors/retailers.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional process for purchasing a point storage card by a game player. As shown in the drawing, a supplier 3 a provides a point storage card to a distributor/retailer 2 a for sale. A game player 1 a purchases the point storage card from the distributor/retailer 2 a so as to obtain a serial number by scratching off the silver coating of the point storage card, and then the game player inputs the serial number into a service website 4 a for activating the points allocated to the card.

However, such a process requires the fabrication of the point storage cards and silver coating, thereby increasing the cost. Meanwhile, the silver debris from the scratching step causes secondary pollution to the environment. In addition, since the silver coating could be fairly readily scratched off and recoated, serial numbers may be unlawfully obtained for reproduction of point storage cards, thus potentially resulting in great loss to the industry and consumers.

FIG. 2 shows a conventional semi-automatic process for selling a point storage card. As shown in the drawing, a supplier 3 b provides an electronic point storage card to a distributor/retailer 2 b for sale. When a game player purchases the electronic point storage card from the distributor/retailer 2 b, the distributor/retailer prints the serial number of the electronic point storage card through a printing system and then the game player inputs the serial number into a service website 4 b for activating the points allocated to the serial number.

The above-described process avoids the silver coating and environmental pollution caused by the silver coating, and also saves the cost for fabricating the point storage cards. However, it incurs the cost for printing serial numbers of the electronic point storage cards and cannot effectively prevent disclosure of the serial number information and unlawful fraud associated therewith.

FIG. 3 shows a conventional fully automatic process for selling a point storage card. As shown in the drawing, a game player purchases an electronic point storage card from a website provided by a distributor/retailer 2 c by using a network payment method and then inputs the serial number of the card using a service website 4 c for activating the points allocated to the card.

Such a process saves manual costs and printing costs, and greatly reduces the cost for fabricating point storage cards. Also, game players do not need to go to the physical stores of distributors/retailers for purchasing the point storage cards. However, the process still cannot prevent disclosure of the serial number information because such information might be intercepted while being sent back.

Therefore, overcoming the above drawbacks has become a rather urgent issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the above drawbacks, an objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards such that users can conveniently select various kinds of point storage cards in a common platform interface, thereby diversifying the selection of point storage cards.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards so as to prevent unintended disclosure of the serial number information and to simplify the processes for storage or exchange of the serial number information between a supplier system and a distributor/retailer or a consumer.

In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a method and system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards. The method of the present invention is applicable to a system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards, which comprises the steps of: providing a means for a user to connect a computer device to the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card and inputting a member account and password; generating a point storage card selection interface via the system and transmitting the point storage card selection interface to the computer device upon verification of the member account and password; selecting at least one kind of the point storage cards from the point storage card selection interface through the computer device; performing a payment process via the system according to the selected point storage card; and transmitting payment information related to the point storage card via the system to a supplier system corresponding to the point storage card so as to request the supplier system to activate the serial number of the point storage card.

The system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards comprises: an account password module for storing member accounts and member passwords; a verification module for receiving member accounts and member passwords input through the computer device and comparing those received with the member accounts and member passwords stored in the account password module so as to determine whether the input member accounts and member passwords are valid; a point storage card selection module for generating a point storage card selection interface each time the verification module verifies that a received member account and member password are valid, and transmits the point storage card selection interface to the corresponding computer device such that the user of the computer device can select at least one kind of the point storage cards from the point storage card selection interface; a payment module for performing a payment process according to the selected point storage cards; and an information transmission module for transmitting payment information related to the point storage cards to a supplier system corresponding to the point storage cards after the payment module completes the payment process so as to request the supplier system to activate the serial numbers of the point storage cards.

Therefore, the present invention provides a mechanism for requesting a supplier system to activate serial numbers of point storage cards through the Internet without the need for disclosing the serial numbers to distributors/retailers. After the supplier system receives payment information related to the point storage cards, the supplier system activates the serial numbers of the point storage cards. During this process, the serial number information does not need to be transmitted back to the system for activating the serial numbers or transmitted to the outside, thereby decreasing the risk of disclosure of the serial number information. Meanwhile, the distributors/retailers are freed from the burden of bearing a serial number inventory.

Further, users at the computer device do not need to input the serial numbers or verification codes, thereby improving the users' convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional process for purchasing a point storage card by a game player;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conventional semi-automatic process for selling a point storage card;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional fully automatic process for selling a point storage card;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of a system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate the disclosure of the present invention; these and other advantages and effects will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the disclosure of this specification.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of a system 3 for activating serial numbers of point storage cards according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the system 3 of the present invention is used by a user such as a game player operating a computer device 1 so as to request a supplier system 4 to activate the serial number of the point storage card through the Internet 2. The system 3 comprises an account password module 30, a verification module 31, a point storage card selection module 32, a payment module 33, an information transmission module 34 and an information receiving module 35.

The account password module 30 stores member accounts 301 and member passwords 302, which are created and stored when users apply to the system for membership. The verification module 31 compares member accounts and member passwords input through computer devices 1 with the member accounts and member passwords stored in the account password module 30 so as to determine whether the input member accounts and member passwords are valid, thereby identifying the users of the computer devices 1 and providing serial number activation or point storage services required by the users.

If the verification module 31 verifies that an input member account and member password are valid, the point storage card selection module 32 generates a point storage card selection interface and transmits the point storage card selection interface to the computer device 1 such that the user can select one or more point storage cards from the point storage card selection interface. Therefore, the system 3 of the present invention provides a cross-supplier service for point storage cards.

After a user at the computer device 1 completes selection, the payment module 33 performs an online payment process such as a credit card payment process according to the selected point storage card or cards. Since the online payment process is already known in the art, detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

After the payment module 33 completes the payment process, the information transmission module 34 generates payment information related to the point storage card, and transmits the payment information to the supplier system 4 corresponding to the point storage card so as to request the supplier system 4 to activate the serial number of the point storage card. After the supplier system 4 completes the serial number activation process, the supplier system 4 generates serial number activation information 40.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the information receiving module 35 receives the serial number activation information 40 from the supplier system 4 and further transmits the serial number activation information 40 to the computer device 1.

In addition, the supplier system 4 can provide a point storage service for the point storage card. Correspondingly, after the supplier system 4 completes the point storage service, the information receiving module 35 receives point storage information 41 from the supplier system 4 and transmits the point storage information 41 to the computer device 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, first, at step S60, a user connects the computer device 1 to the system 3 for activating serial numbers of point storage cards, and inputs a member account 301 and a member password 302. Then, the process goes to step S61. It should be noted that the member account 301 and member password 302 are created through a membership application program using a general webpage; therefore the details thereof are omitted.

At step S61, if the system 3 verifies that the member account 301 and the member password 302 are valid, the system 3 generates a point storage card selection interface and transmits the point storage card selection interface to the computer device 1. Then, the process goes to step S62.

At step S62, at least one kind of point storage card in the point storage card selection interface is selected by the user through the computer device 1. Then, the process goes to step S63.

At step S63, a payment process is performed according to the selected point storage card. Then, the process goes to step S64.

At step S64, after the payment process is completed, the system 3 transmits payment information to a supplier system 4 corresponding to the point storage card so as to request the supplier system 4 to activate the serial number of the point storage card.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one kind of the point storage cards of the supplier system 4 is stored in the point storage card selection interface so as to diversify the selection and facilitate the user to purchase different kinds of point storage cards at one time. In addition, the system 3 transmits payment information related to the point storage card to the corresponding supplier system 4. Further, in addition to the activation request, other requests, such as a point storage request, can be performed in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, first, at step S70, after the supplier system 4 receives the payment information related to the point storage card, the supplier system 4 activates the serial number of the point storage card and generates serial number activation information 40, or provides a point storage service for the point storage card and generates point storage information 41. Then, the process goes to step S71.

At step S71, the supplier system 4 transmits the serial number activation information 40 or point storage information 41 to the system 3. Then, the process goes to step S72.

At step S72, the system 3 informs the computer device 1 through an electronic message that the serial number is activated or points are successfully stored in the member account.

According to the method of the present embodiment, after the supplier system 4 receives the payment information related to the point storage card, the supplier system does not transmit the serial number information to the system 3, thereby reducing the risk of disclosure of the serial number information to provide a safer and more efficient transaction. Further, the user at the computer device does not need to input the serial number or verification code at a service website of the supplier system 4, thereby improving the user's convenience.

Therefore, the present invention provides a mechanism for a user at a computer device 1 to request the supplier system 4 to activate the serial number of the point storage card through the Internet 2. The present invention efficiently reduces the cost of suppliers that conventionally consign a distributor/retailer to collect the payment, improves a user's convenience since the user does not need to input the serial number or verification code at a service website of the supplier system 4, and reduces risk of disclosure of the serial number information. Furthermore, the present invention provides a single interface for requesting various supplier systems to activate serial numbers or store points, and provides cross-supplier services.

The above-described descriptions of the detailed embodiments are intended to illustrate the preferred implementations according to the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various modifications and variations completed by those with ordinary skill in the art fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A method for activating serial numbers of point storage cards, applicable to a system for activating the serial number of the point storage card, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a computer device to the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card and inputting a member account and a member password; generating a point storage card selection interface and transmitting the point storage card selection interface to the computer device if the system verifies that the member account and the member password are valid; selecting at least one kind of the point storage cards from the point storage card selection interface through the computer device; performing a payment process via the system according to the selected point storage card; and transmitting payment information related to the point storage card from the system to a supplier system corresponding to the point storage card so as to request the supplier system to activate the serial number of the point storage card.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the member account and the member password are created and stored in the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card when a user applies to the system for membership.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the supplier system activates the serial number of the point storage card, the supplier system further provides a point storage service for the point storage card.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein, after completing the point storage service, the supplier system transmits point storage information to the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card, and the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card further transmits the point storage information to the computer device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein after completing the serial number activation process, the supplier system transmits serial number activation information to the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card, and the system for activating the serial number of the point storage card further transmits the serial number activation information to the computer device.
 6. A system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards, capable of being used by users at computer devices for requesting supplier systems to activate the serial numbers of the point storage cards over the Internet, the system for activating serial numbers of point storage cards comprising: an account password module for storing member accounts and member passwords; a verification module for receiving member accounts and member passwords input through the computer devices and comparing those received with the member accounts and member passwords stored in the account password module so as to determine whether the input member accounts and member passwords are valid; a point storage card selection module for generating a point storage card selection interface each time the verification module verifies that a received member account and member password are valid, and transmits the point storage card selection interface to the corresponding computer device such that the user of the computer device can select at least one kind of the point storage cards from the point storage card selection interface; a payment module for performing a payment process according to the selected point storage cards; and an information transmission module for transmitting payment information related to the point storage cards to the supplier system corresponding to the point storage cards after the payment module completes the payment process so as to request the supplier system to activate the serial numbers of the point storage cards.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein, after the supplier system activates the serial number of the corresponding point storage card, the supplier system further provides a point storage service for the point storage card.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an information receiving module for receiving point storage information from the supplier systems after the supplier systems have completed the point storage services.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the information receiving module transmits the point storage information to the corresponding computer devices.
 10. The system of claim 6, further comprising an information receiving module for receiving serial number activation information from the supplier systems after the supplier systems have completed the serial number activation process.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the information receiving module transmits the serial number activation information to the corresponding computer devices. 